Category Archives: Down on the Farm Newsletter

Down on the Farm

September 10, 2018Down on the Farm Newsletter, Lawn Replacement, Natives, plants for pollinatorsShantelle Brignolo

Dear Friends,

We have just come through a summer that was largely defined by irregular and extreme climate conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that, “Scorching temperatures broke heat records around the world last month [July], which ranked as the fourth warmest July on record. Excessive warmth during the first seven months of 2018 made it the fourth warmest year to date for the planet.” Here in New England, we endured record-setting heat, high humidity, and chronic downpours. Those of us who grew up in the Northeast remember hazy, hot and humid stretches that would last a few days and be followed by a thunderstorm that cleared the air. This year, thunderstorms came and went without refreshing the atmosphere, creating sauna-like conditions referred to by some meteorologists as a “heat dome.” Out West, the story was extreme heat, drought, and fire. According to NOAA, “Death Valley had the hottest month on record observed anywhere.” Other parts of the country and the world also baked.

Our suggestion? Approach your garden with a greater sense of purpose. If you’re unsettled by changes in our weather patterns, plant a tree and urge others to do the same. Leafy specimens are the best air-conditioners and air purifiers we know. The National Audubon Society recently noted that “one tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, the equivalent of 11,000 miles of car emissions.”

Planting Natives & Lawn Replacements

Monarch butterflies (we count 5 in this photo) feeding on the nectar of Liatris scariosa.

Another way to combat uncomfortable heat levels and changes in climactic conditions is to help creatures great and small that are also being affected by it. Add native plants to your garden and yard to provide habitat and nourishment for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. In lieu of maintaining a manicured green lawn that often requires chemicals to keep it looking its best, eliminate or reduce the size of your lawn and create a native garden for pollinators. The beauty of these gardens is enhanced by its visitors, which include butterflies of many varieties, and birds. Come spring, we’ll be offering some exciting collections that will help you successfully convert some of your lawn area into a beautiful habitat garden. So begin thinking about where you’d like to site such a garden, and stay tuned for details.

This Bumblebee is enjoying the nectar of Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (slender Mountain Mint).

Record heat around the globe has impacted the lifecycle of the bulbs we offer for fall planting. Higher temps have led to later harvest times in regions including Holland, England, British Columbia, and Japan. That means bulbs produced in these countries will arrive in the U.S. a bit later than usual. Rest assured these top-grade bulbs will be treated with the same consideration that’s required to keep them healthy and strong. They’ll be shipped overseas in temperature-controlled containers then stored here in our warehouse under ideal conditions before being shipped to you for fall planting. We don’t foresee any delays in getting bulbs to you. Order now, and incorporate some of these beautiful flowers in your spring garden.

Going Solar

The solar project is installed at the farm.

At the farm this summer, the big news was the successful installation of our solar array, which means the farm’s offices and greenhouses are now powered by the sun. We’re pleased to have taken this important step in reducing our carbon footprint.

A New Rose Garden

The beginnings of our new Rose Garden, which will feature a variety of Roses and some of their favorite plant companions.

The other big development at the farm this summer was the installation of a new Rose Garden on the site formerly occupied by our Shrub Border. The Rose Garden was designed with the assistance of noted landscape architect and designer Julie Moir Messervy and her talented team at JMMDS (Julie Moir Messervy Design Studio). Site prep began in July, and as of this writing, the garden is in its earliest stages. The bones have been laid out, with pathways delineated, plant groupings sketched in and in some cases planted. Even in skeletal stage, the garden is shaping up to be a most inviting and pleasing space. Several entrances and a winding path welcome visitors to stroll. The short walk will offer a chance to view a wide variety of Roses along with some superb companion plants. Planting of the garden will continue into autumn, and come spring, we’re all looking forward to its first season. We hope you’ll visit soon to have a look at the outline, then plan to return again in spring and summer to see how it progresses. There is no better way to see how new gardens are created and to borrow ideas for inspiration.

Moving the Garden Indoors

Among the season’s new houseplants is the Ruffled Fan Palm, far left, in our Blue Dots Motif cachepot. Did we mention it’s selling like hotcakes?

As the days grow darker at an earlier hour, and the temperatures (finally) begin to cool, those of us who love plants, greenery and flowers are looking for ways to bring the garden indoors for the winter. In our holiday catalog, which soon will be speeding its way to your door, you’ll find some stunning new houseplants along with new cachepots, baskets and plant stands that show them off to best advantage. (If you care for a sneak peak, many of these items are already on our website.) Our hard goods manager has been hard at work, and she’s rounded up some exciting new finds for indoor decorating – from botanically inspired dried wreaths in a wide array of styles and color themes to scented candles and sachets that carry the natural perfumes of Lavender and other garden favorites, to tiny plants that are ideally sized for table setting, and which make beguiling party favors for autumn and holiday feasts.

Planting in Fall for Next Season’s Display

We trust you and yours are looking forward to autumn and its many pleasant rituals. We’ll be spending as much time as we can in the garden, clearing out beds, adding new perennials and shrubs, planting bulbs, and creating the displays we wish to see next year. As you choose what to plant in your garden this fall, keep in mind that next season’s flower and foliage show is one you’ll likely share with family, friends and, depending how visible your house is to your neighbors, members of your community. Beautiful gardens do much to lift the spirits, bring beauty (and value) to your house and the neighborhood, and, as mentioned above, support pollinators and wildlife. Plant some lovely additions in your yard. It’s a terrific way to make the world a better place, one green oasis at a time.

Down on the Farm – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

April 12, 2017Down on the Farm Newsletter, Events, NewsletterShantelle Brignolo

Gardeners know a great deal about patience, and this spring, we’ve had ours tested by Mother Nature’s caprices. For the second year in a row, the Northeast has had a cool spring, and this year’s is a bit late. Our above average temperatures in February were followed by below average numbers in March. The better news for gardeners – and their plants – is that April, true to its billing, arrived with plenty of showers. As of this writing, several soaking rains have helped offset the drought conditions that became severe in some parts of the state and other areas of New England last summer.

Ups and downs in the weather cycle serve to remind all of us, no matter where we live, that we garden with Nature. Wise gardeners take this into account when choosing plants and tending them. Many are paying closer attention to native varieties in the belief that these plants may be better equipped to handle extremes of weather. They also play a role in supporting pollinators and wildlife. At the farm this spring, our head gardener Cheryl Whalen will be creating a garden reserved exclusively for native plants, shrubs and trees. Cheryl spent part of the winter doing research, identifying true natives, and winnowing down her plant list. Her selections will go into the ground soon, and we’ll watch them with interest over time to see how they develop. With Cheryl’s help and insights, we’ll be writing a lot more on this topic soon.

Clivia miniata Longwood Sunrise — Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Sunrise’ is one of the stunning and distinctive releases from the Longwood Gardens Clivia breeding program. This plant took decades to develop, and it was well worth the wait!

Longwood’s Exquisite Clivia

For another example of patience – and its remarkable rewards, we turn to Longwood Garden in Kennett Square, PA. Last year at holiday time, we were pleased to introduce to you the first named Clivia released from Longwood’s breeding program. Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Debutante’ is a yellow flowering beauty that was roughly 35 years in the making. That’s 35 years of patient hybridizing and cross-breeding that was begun in 1986 by the founder of Longwood’s breeding program, Dr. Robert Armstrong. Longwood subsequently released four more miniata varieties, ‘Longwood Sunrise,’ ‘Longwood Fireworks,’ ‘Longwood Chimes,’ and ‘Longwood Sunset.’ Each of these plants produces blossoms that are unique and exceptional. We are honored to be the sole mail-order source for these plants, which are otherwise available only at Longwood. When we introduced these plants via our emails and on social media in late winter, there was what some of our younger staff members call “blow back” about the prices, which are $300 for ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Fireworks,’ and $900 for ‘Chimes’ and ‘Sunset.’ How could a single houseplant cost that much? Imagine first the cost of keeping a greenhouse going summer and winter for more than 35 years. Then add to it the cost of the staff required to carefully cultivate and tend these plants. Factor in, too, the slow growth of Clivia, and the fact that ‘Chimes’ and ‘Sunset’ are excruciatingly slow to produce the offsets that become new plants. Viewed in that context, we hope the pricing makes a good deal more sense. Experienced gardeners know the value of these plants and the rewards that come from investing in rare, long-lived treasures whose beauty justifies the cost incurred by the process of creation.

A variety of container pots, professional-grade garden tools, Dahlia tubers, houseplants, spring-blooming shrubs and trees, and early blooming perennials are just some of what’s in stock at the store. We look forward to seeing you!

Our Store Is Open

If you missed our recent blog post, the White Flower Farm Store is open for the season. Inside, it’s stocked with the top quality garden tools and supplies we use here at the farm. We’re also offering birdhouses, hummingbird feeders, garden art objects, a wide variety of houseplants, and many great gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day and other spring celebrations. Plants from our greenhouses are starting to fill the sales yard, and you’ll find a broad selection of potted annuals and perennials, plus shrubs and trees, a selection of containers, including our Cretan pots in a wide range of sizes and styles, and garden ornaments from benches to birdbaths. Our staff members will be delighted, as always, to help you choose plants for your garden and to answer any questions you may have. If you’d like to have your plants delivered, we’re pleased to offer this service for a nominal fee.

tomatoevent — We’re delighted to be hosting out 12th Annual Great Tomato Celebration Friday through Sunday, May 19–21. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. In addition to more than 130 varieties of Tomatoes, we offer vegetable and herb plants, and garden supplies. Plenty of staff members will be on hand to answer questions.

Our 12th Annual Great Tomato Celebration

For those who grow their own vegetables, we’re delighted to announce that our 12th Annual Great Tomato Celebration will be held May 19 through 21 at the farm in Morris. This year, we’ll be offering over 130 varieties of tomato seedlings, including treasured heirlooms and the top-rated modern hybrids (all non-GMO), along with everything else you’ll need for this year’s kitchen garden. Joining us on May 19th is tomato expert Craig LeHoullier, tomato advisor for Seed Savers Exchange and author of Epic Tomatoes, winner of the Garden Writers Gold Award for best book in 2016. Craig will be speaking and answering questions at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on May 19th only. Signed copies of his book will be available for sale. For a list of available Tomato varieties (subject to change) and more information on the event, please visit WhiteFlowerFarm.com/tomato-celebration.

Our Flagship Store and Gardens — It won’t be long before our display gardens are full of spring flowering bulbs. Come stroll the grounds. It’s a great chance to see a wide variety of Daffodils, Tulips and other spring flowers in bloom.

A Season of Special Events

In addition to the Great Tomato Celebration, our staff at the store has put together a calendar of special events – from popular Annual Container Planting Make & Take Events, to Grow It, Cook It, Eat It workshops, and lecture/discussions on planting and caring for trees, and roses. Our annual Open House will be held at the farm on Saturday, June 17th, and we invite you to join us for iced tea and tea sandwiches served on the lawn by members of our family.

greenhouse, new plants — Our horticulture staff has been hard at work in the greenhouses, growing a dazzling array of annuals and perennials. As the weather warms, we’ll be bringing tractor-loads down to the store.

Our Greenhouses Are Loaded

While our hills were covered in snow, our greenhouse staff members were busy tending to what seem like indoor acres of annuals and perennials. The plants have been coming along beautifully, and as the weather warms, we’re shipping these plants to gardeners all over the country and transporting tractor-loads to the store.

We hope that as you get your spring garden going, you keep us in mind for plants, bulbs, gear and supplies, and that you visit our website for helpful information, inspiration and ideas. We’ve been helping gardeners of all stripes succeed for 66 years, and we’re mighty pleased to keep at it.

DOWN ON THE FARM: A Holly Jolly Christmas

December 22, 2016Down on the Farm Newsletter, Holiday GiftsWhite Flower Farm

Christmas Tree Department, decorating, wff elves

Here at the farm, we’re all breathing a lovely sigh – the kind that comes following months of hectic, hard work that abruptly comes to an end. The last packages have been loaded onto trucks. The conveyor belts have been silenced. Members of the Shipping Department have all gone home for the holidays, and the rest of us are soon to follow.

A festive mood prevails (a “hangover” from our somewhat raucous annual staff breakfast), and our hearts rejoice each time we hear employees warmly wishing one another “Merry Christmas!” and “Happy New Year!” as they depart for a few days, their arms laden with blooming azaleas, Christmas roses, and cyclamen.

In the stillness that settles over the farm and the warehouse, we count our blessings. We’ve just wrapped up our 66th year in business on a high note. We work diligently at something we love, and we’re lucky to enjoy the enthusiastic support of loyal customers, many of whom first introduced themselves years ago as beginner gardeners and who have since become experts. Their holiday cards and letters hang in our Customer Service department. We’re also privileged to work with a growing number of new customers, many of whom are novice gardeners. They seek out White Flower Farm not just for plants and garden gear but also for advice, inspiration and horticultural information. Our greatest joy is in helping them succeed, thereby nurturing a next generation of gardeners.

The next “blessing” we count may sound a bit silly, but we’re grateful, quite simply, for plants – their beauty, their endless variety, and their resilience. In our greenhouses and garden beds, they astonish, delight and revitalize us each day. They ask remarkably little – water, soil, and varying amounts of sun – and they give a tremendous amount in return. Against a backdrop of tumultuous world events, the plants we grow in our gardens and in our homes provide tranquility. Each is a literal green oasis that reminds us of all the beauty there is to be found and cultivated in the world.

From all of us at White Flower Farm, we wish you and yours a season of peace and joy, and a new year full of blossoms, beauty and possibilities.

Please note: To give our hard-working staff some well-deserved time off, we’ll be closed from Dec. 24^th through Dec. 26^th. We reopen Dec. 27^th and look forward to hearing from you.